The incident occurred at the Pasquotank Correctional Institute in Elizabeth City, where fires were set in the prison's sewing plant, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety said in a tweet Thursday afternoon.

A WSOCTV report quoting prison spokesman Keith Acree said that two employees were killed and 10 people, including prison workers, were taken to the hospital. Four inmates were treated for injuries, the department said.

According to the NC Department of Public Safety, around 3 p.m., inmates started a fire in the prison's specialty sewing plant, where about 30 inmates work for Correction Enterprises producing embroidered logo items, safety vests and other sewn items.

Several employees of a North Carolina prison have been injured during an attempted inmate escape.

A spokeswoman for Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, Tammy Sawyer said, "We didn't want kids home alone or in transport with the potential situation that was unfolding".

The Pasquotank Sheriff's Office said they got a call announcing a conceivable escape of detainees.

After the fire was set, several inmates attempted to escape, but were immediately detained.

Pasquotank is a high-security facility that has a capacity of 896 inmates but was holding 729 when the attempt at freedom was made.

According to the local school district, an elementary school middle school and high school were placed on lockout for a brief period.

"Those who work in our prisons do a hard and demanding job that is critical to our safety". Several of the injured are employees.

The College of the Albemarle Elizabeth City campus has also been closed due to safety concerns.

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